Some 600 coconut seedlings were planted in this Northern Luzon city on Tuesday in support of the national government’s coconut industry revitalization initiative.

The activity was carried out in Barangay 62-B Navotas South by the Liga ng mga Barangay led by its president, Roque Benjamin Ablan, in partnership with civil society groups, including farmers and fisherfolk associations, according to Mylene Isabel Pascual of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency, Pascual said the activity aims to produce more coconut trees by encouraging more people to plant it in order to revitalize the industry in the province.

She noted that planting coconut trees can protect the environment as they help mitigate floods, as well as increase the income and livelihood of residents.

Ablan, for his part, said tree planting is a regular activity of his group.

“With the city government and CENRO, we have been spearheading the tree planting program along with members of the Philippine National Police,” he said. “We are done with three barangays [where we] planted coconut and narra trees.”

According to the Ilocos Norte provincial government, more than 3,600 coconut farmers in the province have started improving their lots with the help of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), which has been partnering with local government units and public and private organizations for the planting of more coconut trees.

Through the assistance of the PCA and other partner agencies, farmers are being organized into cooperatives while various capacity-building trainings are being conducted to integrate them into the value chain.

Among the benefits accorded to coconut farmers and their families are provision of health and medical benefits, crop insurance, scholarship grants, trainings, and provision of coconut hybrid seed nuts.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on May 21, 2025 approved a five-year roadmap to transform the country’s coconut industry, under which registered coconut farmers can expect a renewed push to boost their productivity, income, and social welfare by rehabilitating and expanding their coconut plantations. (PNA)